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The Gurmat Sangeet Project is a grass-roots
level effort dedicated to the preservation and propagation of the Gurmat
Sangeet tradition, which can be traced all the way back to Sri Guru
Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion. (For more information
on Gurmat Sangeet, please see : An Intoroduction to Gurmat Sangeet,
Gurmat Sangeet Appreciation and The Evolution of Gurmat Sangeet under
Articles & Papers)
The Gurmat Sangeet Project
is presently focused on the following areas :
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Creating awareness
about Gurmat Sangeet through this website and other media
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Documenting and
disseminating traditional Gurmat Sangeet compositions
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Creating simple
educational materials to help de-mystify the tradition
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Serving recordings
of authentic Gurmat Sangeet compositions over the Internet
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Teaching children
the practice of Gurmat Sangeet on a very limited basis
Future endeavors will include
- Setting up regional and local chapters
for the teaching of Gurmat Sangeet
- Sponsorships and Scholarships for
students of Gurmat Sangeet
- Web-based Gurmat Sangeet workshops
The Gurmat Sangeet Project's
teaching activities are presently confined to the New England Sikh Study
Circle, at the Gurudwara Sahib at Milford, Massachusetts. The teaching
program has been in place for about a year now and is integrated into
the Sunday school activites. So far about fifteen children, ages 7 through
15 have learned several Shabads in the Gurmat Sangeet tradition; all the
compositions that have been taught are Raga based.
Covered Ragas include Yaman Kalyan, Bilaval, Ahlaiya Bilaval, Bhupali,
Bhinn Shadja, Bhairav, Ahir Bhairav, Basant, Bahar, Miyan Ki Malhar, Megh
Malhar, Kedara, Tilang, Bihagda, Brindabani Sarang, Asavari, Bhairavi,
Basant Hindol, Bhimpalasi, Darbari Kanada, Bihag and Malkauns. In addition,
teachers are being trained as well in order to keep the project viable.
At present, roughly twentyfive children participate in the classes. A
couple of Gurmat Sangeet workshops have been organized for adults as well.
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